News About This Theater

Opened on March 15, 1927 with Rudolph Valentino on “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”, the Maplewood Theatre began showing movies in addition to live performances in the 1940s.

The theatre was enormous and was one of the largest in New Jersey. It was cut into three and later four screens in the late-1980’s and early-1990’s.

“It is my general recollection however that the extravagent interior is still under modern covering… and a small part of the ceiling (with egg and dart moulding) can be seen peeking out of the dropped ceiling in one of the rooms. It is a candidate for restoration for sure, and it is in a very progressive town that gets behind these sort of things. The theater is still a huge success as a 4-plex and there is little chance of it going out of business.”

FilmNoir1944: I don’t reside in, nor have I ever resided anywhere in NJ, including Maplewood, but I think that this:

“ The only thing that will motivate them to go to the theatres again are large high quality event pictures—an animated family picture, an excellent horror picture, a restored classic which baby boomers want to see and share with a house full of other boomers. This is what I predict will happen to the Maplewood Theatre. I’m hoping that it will happen faster than we think.”

is right on the money, and, if yours (and mine) prediction is correct, it will not only happen to the
Maplewood Theatre in New Jersey, but to various movie palaces throughout the country.

I grew up in Maplewood and have many fond memories of going to the movies at the Maplewood Theatre during the 1970’s, when it was one big auditorium. I especially remember going to Saturday matinee or having pizza at the Roman Gourmet before or after a show. I recall as a very young kid, during which must have been the very late 1960’s or maybe 1970, of seeing live singers before the movie began -I think it was a Christmas show. Great memories!

I think I overheard the manager talking about having Clearview start to buy this theater but I’m not sure. This was a few months ago, like October

The only good theater, IMO, is the one that has the 3D projection. The screen isn’t the biggest but it has the best sound in the whole theater and every other screen has crappy sound quality but I still go here because it’s the closest place with big screens.

I posted some pictures including a handbill from 1936, some exterior shots from 60’s/70’s, an interior shot from about 5 years ago (Manager let me pop a ceiling tile and shoot the original ceiling)… and best of all, Bill Bojangles Robinson on stage in the 1940’s. Yes, that is Mr. Bojangles, and the show is “The Hot Mikado”. Glory days of the Maplewood Theater were the early 40’s that’s for sure.

@Poland – – this is one of the rare downtown ones Clearview didn’t buy. Clearivew as an operation has gotten better, and spends resources upgrading the concession areas, bathrooms, and seats – – but never on correcting major mistakes made in the projection room when subdividing theaters. So many of the theaters they buy were poorly built/subdivided that you’d have a better experience in a discount house.

Remember or hear family tales about the Maplewood Theater’s glory days? The Durand Hedden House and Garden Association wants to hear from you! In preparation for a forthcoming exhibit, Durand Hedden is collecting pictures, ephemera, and anecdotes about the Maplewood Theater’s 86 year run. Did you happen snap a Polaroid when Ghostbusters was playing? Found something on eBay you want to share with the world? Even as much as an old ticket stub, we want it! Stories and memories are also welcome. Contact or 973-763-7712 to help make this exhibit a success.